ILR specification: 2023 to 2024

Prior Level: Field

Definition

The prior attainment at the time relevant to the learning agreement.

Reason Required

To allow analysis of the level of prior attainment of learners, to help with value-added analysis and to ensure funding and delivery is targeted at key groups. Validation of funding eligibility for Adult Skills and ESF funded learners.

Schema Definitions

XML Entity Name
PriorLevel
Field Length
2
Data type
xs:int
Minimum occurrences
1
Maximum occurrences
1
Part of
PriorAttain

Collection Requirements

  • Adult Skills (FundModel 35)
  • Apprenticeships (FundModel 36)
  • Non-funded (FundModel 99)
  • Other Adult (FundModel 81)
  • Skills Bootcamps (FundModel 37, Prog Type 32)

Attribute Codes

Code Definition
1

Entry Level

2

Level 1

3

Level 2

4

Full Level 2

5

Level 3

6

Full Level 3

7

Level 4

8

Level 5

9

Level 6

10

Level 7 and above

97

Other qualification, level not known

98

Not known

99

No qualifications

Notes

For non-funded learners, this data is not required for Local Authority funded Community Learning provision (Funding Model 99 and Source of funding 108)

  • Use the prior attainment levels table for a full list of level definitions.

  • The data captured in this field should be the learner's prior attainment when they first agree a new learning agreement with the provider.

  • Where a learner returns to a provider after an absence of more than one teaching year, then the Prior attainment should be re-evaluated and updated.

  • You must return complete data and must only return 'not known' in exceptional circumstances as the Prior attainment field is very important for ESF match funding.



Prior attainment levels table

The information shown in the table below provides a guide to the overall attainment level of learners that have achieved various combinations of qualifications. The levels shown do not necessarily coincide with the level at which individual qualifications are set. For example, GCSEs are at level 1/2, but the level of attainment achieved by a learner is dependent on the grade they achieve. Where a learner attains a grade D-G or 1-3 this would be considered a level 1.

Whether a learner’s prior attainment is a full level 2 or full level 3 will depend on whether the qualification was defined as a full level 2 or full level 3 when the learner started to study it. This is because the qualifications that have been defined as full level 2 and full level 3 have changed over time. The qualifications listed in the table below are examples of qualifications which may have been full in the past.

The guidance has been updated to reflect the introduction of the Regulated Qualification Framework RQF from the 1 October 2015 and the decoupling of AS Levels from A Levels from September 2015.

Prior attainment level descriptors Qualification equivalent (incorporating NQF and QCF and RQF)
Entry level (code 1) QCF qualifications at Entry level
Certificate in Adult Literacy, Numeracy, ESOL at Entry level RQF qualifications at Entry Level
English and Maths qualifications at Entry Level
Key skills at entry level
Functional Skills at entry level
Essential Digital Skills qualification
Level 1 (code 2) GCSE/O Level (at grades D-G or fewer than 5 at grades A-C)
CSE grade 2 and 3
1 AS Level (for AS qualifications regulated before 1 September 2015)
QCF qualifications at Level 1
Foundation 14-19 Diploma
Functional Skills
Certificate in Adult Literacy, Numeracy, ESOL at Level 1
Level 1 Key Skills
Level 1 Principal Learning
Introductory Diploma
Introductory Certificate
GNVQ Foundation
NVQ Level 1
RQF qualifications at Level 1
Technical Awards in the Key Stage 4 Performance Tables
Essential Digital Skills qualificatons
Level 2 (code 3) Vocational and technical qualifications at level 2 (not on the level 2 and level 3 legal entitlement list)
Functional skills at level 2
ESOL (skills for life)
Technical Awards in the Key Stage 4 Performance Tables
Performing Arts Graded Examination qualifications
Full level 2 (code 4) GCSE/O Level (5 or more GCSEs grades A*-C)
GCSE (9-1) (5 or more GCSEs grade 4 or above)
2 or 3 AS Levels (for AS qualifications regulated before 1 September 2015)
CSE Grade 1 (5 or more)
1 A Level
Higher 14-19 Diploma
QCF Diploma level 2
QCF Certificate level 2 at 13 or 14 credits undertaken before 2014 to 2015
Level 2 Principal Learning
NVQ level 2
GNVQ Intermediate
Technical Certificates in the 16-19 Performance Tables
QCF Certificate level 2 at 15 credits and above
From 1 August 2015 vocational qualifications of 150 GLH or more that are on the level 2 and level 3 legal entitlement qualification list.
Level 3 (code 5) Vocational and technical qualifications at level 3 (not on the level 2 and level 3 legal entitlement list)
Core maths
Technical qualifications (part of T levels)
Components of international baccalaureate
Performing Arts Graded Examination qualifications
Pre U qualifications
Full level 3 (code 6) A Levels (2 or more advanced level passes)
4 or more AS Levels (for AS qualifications regulated before 1 September 2015)
QCF Diploma Level 3
QAA Access to HE
Advanced 14-19 Diploma
GNVQ Advanced
NVQ level 3
AVCE double award
Tech Levels which are in the 16-19 Performance Tables
Applied Generals which are in the 16-19 Performance Tables (from 1 August 2015)
QCF Certificate at Level 3 which is 30 to 36 credits
From 1 August 2015 vocational qualifications of 300 GLH or more that are on the level 2 and level 3 legal entitlement qualification list.
Prior attainment level descriptors Current Ofqual Regulated Framework (RQF) Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
Level 4 (code 7) QCF Award Level 4
QCF Certificate Level 4
QCF Diploma Level 4
HNC
RQF qualifications Level 4
Certificates of higher education
Level 5 (code 8) QCF Award Level 5
QCF Certificate Level 5
QCF Diploma Level 5
HND
RQF qualifications Level 5
Foundation degrees
Level 6 (code 9) QCF Award Level 6
QCF Certificate Level 6
QCF Diploma Level 6
RQF qualifications Level 6
Bachelor's degrees, graduate certificates and diplomas
Level 7+ (code 10) QCF Award Level 7
QCF Certificate Level 7
QCF Diploma Level 7
RQF qualifications Level 7
Masters degrees,
postgraduate certificates and diplomas
QCF Award Level 8
QCF Certificate Level 8
QCF Diploma Level 8
RQF qualifications Level 8
Doctorates